Landcare Operations Manager

The Landcare Operations Manager provides oversight of operations programs, leading a team of supervisors, Teamster grounds workers, and students laborers - approximately 70 staff total. This position will coordinate logistics in a dynamic environment including planned as well as spontaneous events and situations impacting campus operations. In particular, this position is accountable to the assistant director for leadership of the following programs and activities. The Operations Manager position reports to the Assistant Director, and oversees teams and procedures involved in day to day campus grounds operations. Landcare is an operations unit within Facilities Management, responsible for campus maintenance and design.

Position Responsibilities

Operations Program Coordination and Service Delivery - 60%

* Landscape & grounds maintenance, including standards development and application for various maintenance programs:
* Campus groundskeeping - horticultural care of campus lawns, shrub beds, perennials and annual flower displays. Installation and maintenance of seasonal decorations/displays. Regular maintenance of hard surface areas to remove debris and litter.
* Naturalized area management - establishment and care of approximately 60 acres of prairies, urban meadows, bio-filtration basins, woodlands, and non-traditional / alternative-turf lawn areas.
* Tree program - oversight of campus tree program to achieve stated operational goals for maintenance, safety and risk management, as well as supporting climate adaptation goals. Includes on-going obligations related to maintaining Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus Higher Education status.
* Irrigation - maintenance of approximately 130 networked campus irrigation systems which are centrally controlled through an ET based computer program. Includes completion of controller upgrades project to replace radio-based system communications with internet connectivity.
* Event service - collaboration with campus partners to ensure efficient waste management for approved campus events, including football tailgating, Homecoming events and Welcome Week activities.
* Snow removal and deicing - oversight of Landcare's winter maintenance program including storm response preparation planning, and coordination with campus stakeholders and customers to provide a safe and accessible campus for various transportation modes. This involves approximately 100 miles of streets, docks, plazas and walkways, and approximately 100 acres of parking facilities.
* Equipment fleet management for approximately 650 units, from large trucks to small, hand-held power equipment. Maintain records of current inventory. Manage balance of capital reserve fund, and oversee maintenance and repairs by vendors and in-house mechanic staff. This involves timing acquisitions and disposal to optimize trade values and minimize maintenance and repair costs.
* Ongoing maintenance of customer relationships, including proactive, regular communications and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Financial and Administrative Duties - 20%

* Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and University policies.
* Coordination of record keeping and reporting related to deicing product storage, application and housekeeping in compliance with campus MS4 permit obligations.
* Oversight of chemical inventory and application record keeping, as well as Safety Data Sheets library.
* Compliance with programs related to:
* Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures/Regulated Tank storage
* Stockpiles
* Depot safety inspections
* Coordination of procedural, safety & equipment training. Ensure that Landcare staff meet all institutional and department training requirements according to established schedules and deadlines.
* Oversight of licensing / certifications for Landcare staff, such as:
* Licensed pesticide applicator training and license management for Gardener and Senior Gardener staff.
* Commercial driver's license (CDL), including random testing compliance.
* Power limited technician (irrigation system wiring)
* Tree risk assessment qualification (TRAQ)
* Manage contracts & RFPs for multiple products and services related to campus operations, such as:
* Services - snow, street sweeping, sodding, landscape maintenance
* Materials - bulk and bagged deicer, sand & soil, turf supplies
* Oversee discretionary purchasing and budgets in support of Landcare programs including Tools, Safety supplies and PPE, and employee uniforms.
* Assist with the management of lease agreements for off-campus snow dump location(s) and on-campus organics recovery yard.

Human Resource Development - 15%
* Oversee recruitment, hiring and onboarding of maintenance personnel including full-time teamster staff and part-time student laborers according to Human Resources policies and procedures.
* Assist with the implementation of Landcare's professional development program and staff succession planning.
* Oversee development and application of Landcare's in-house equipment and procedural training program.

Other duties as assigned - 5%

Physical and environmental requirements:
Most work is performed in an office setting located in the Como Services area of the Twin Cities campus. Other work is performed in a variety of settings on the Twin Cities campus including, but not limited to, outdoor conditions such as heat, cold, rain and snow.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Required (minimum) qualifications:
* BA/BS degree in horticulture, urban forestry, or related field
* Eight years of related experience, including leadership of maintenance / operations teams
* Valid driver's license
* Advanced skills in the use of MS Office Suite, Google Suite
* Ability to adjust priorities daily to accommodate urgent requests or shifting timelines

Preferred qualifications:
* Excellent communication skills using a variety of tools and techniques (written, spoken, graphical, email, phone, text, etc.)
* Proficiency with ArcGIS or similar Geographic Information Systems software
* Attention to detail in the context of broader department goals and objectives
* Excellent people skills
* Experience working in a union environment

The University of Minnesota's Facilities Management (FM) department is responsible for the physical assets of the University to provide a safe, reliable and welcoming campus for learning and discovery. We ensure a quality environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors in support of the University's mission of teaching, research and outreach. Landcare presents a beautiful, safe and accessible exterior environment for campus users throughout the year. Our mission is to provide efficient, cost effective stewardship of natural and built campus assets.

Landcare is an operations unit within Facilities Management, responsible for campus maintenance and design. The Operations Manager position reports to the Assistant Director, and oversees teams and procedures involved in day to day campus grounds operations.

Pay Range: $90,000 -$120,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

This position will remain open until filled.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.